Location: Pollinating Insect-Biology, Management, Systematics Research
Project Number: 2080-21000-019-101-R
Project Type: Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Apr 15, 2024
End Date: Dec 15, 2025
Objective:
This project aims to study 4 mason bee species (Genus Osmia) to determine their aptitude for berry pollination on farms across Utah and Oregon. Using species that already show some promise in the pollination of berries in scientific experiments in non-commercial settings, will increase our chances of discovering species that can be used in berry production. Finding a good bee-crop match for these bees can be difficult, so we will determine if they pollinate a target crop by ID’ing the pollen in their brood provisions and comparing it to crop pollen samples. Additionally, we will test these bees' propensity to being managed for agriculture by evaluating their nesting success (ie not disperse and nest enough to sustain yearly numbers) and estimating material and labor costs to maintain populations. Together these strategies aim to find reliable and cost-effective bee-crop pairings. Doing so, we hope, will strengthen the sustainability of our food systems by minimizing our reliance on a single pollinator.
Approach:
Research Objective 1: Investigate the aptitude of 4 mason bee species to be managed in commercial berry crop production using pollen ID.
Research Objective 2: Examine the nesting material preferences of 4 mason bee species to cost-effectively balance material attractiveness with management constraints.
Education Objective 1: Increase knowledge about mason bee management and its benefits among farmers and beekeepers by producing 2 educational videos.
Education Objective 2: Distribute discoveries about berry pollination with mason bees to a broad audience of farmers, beekeepers, and backyard gardeners by publishing 2 factsheets.
Education Objective 3: Publish a peer-reviewed paper on the management potential of the 4 mason bees studied in berry crops.
